wfn.org | Action to Stem Violence Against Women

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October 8, 2000
Adventist Press Service (APD)
Christian B. Schaeffler, Editor-in-chief
Fax +41-61-261 61 18
APD@stanet.ch
http://www.stanet.ch/APD
CH-4003 Basel, Switzerland

More Action Needed to Stem Violence Against Women, says 
Adventist Leader

Washington, D.C., USA - Violence against women, often 
within the home, is a social tragedy that knows no 
cultural, language or national boundaries, says Ardis 
Stenbakken, women's ministries leader for the Seventh-day 
Adventist Church worldwide.

"I have spoken with women from all around the world-from 
the mountains of Papua New Guinea to European cities-who 
have been devastated by ongoing abuse within the home," 
says Stenbakken. "This is an issue that, in the past, has 
often been swept under the carpet. Denying the problem 
will not make it go away. It's a problem that demands 
concerted action from governments, as well as social 
welfare and religious organizations."

Stenbakken's comments come in response to news that, 
without Congressional action, federal funding for a major 
anti-domestic violence program in the United States is 
due to run out at the end of September 2000.

Originally enacted in 1994, the Violence Against Women 
Act has provided funds for domestic-abuse education 
programs, women's shelters and crisis centers, victims' 
hotlines, and anti-violence law enforcement. Two bills 
that would reauthorize funding for these initiatives, 
H.R. 1248 and S. 2787, are currently pending in Congress, 
but need action before the end of the week to avoid 
interruptions to programs.

Stenbakken, who has written to Congress in support of the 
renewed funding bills, says that more needs to be done to 
increase the level of awareness-especially within the 
Christian community-about domestic violence.

"Too often there is an assumption that domestic violence 
doesn't happen in so-called Christian homes," says 
Stenbakken.  "This is a dangerous belief that can prevent 
women from recognizing abuse and seeking help."

According to Justice Department statistics released in 
May 2000, approximately one-third of all females murdered 
between 1993 and 1998 were killed by their husband or 
domestic partner.  Some 22 percent of all female victims 
of violence in the United States of America during the 
same period were attacked by an intimate partner (which 
includes current or former husband, or boyfriend).	 

Stenbakken says that her department has taken a twofold 
approach to the issue of violence against women. First, 
it seeks to empower women who are caught in a cycle of 
abuse by providing information that will encourage 
victims to connect with local institutions that can 
provide physical, legal and emotional support. "Second, 
we're committed to raising public consciousness about 
this issue both within the Adventist Church and in the 
public arena," says Stenbakken. "As Christians, we
believe we have a special responsibility to the 
disenfranchised, the vulnerable and the victimized in 
society-those to whom Christ ministered."

Established in 1990, the women's ministries department of 
the Adventist Church focuses on six critical issues that 
particularly impact women around the world: illiteracy, 
abuse, poverty, health risks, work loads and lack of 
mentoring and leadership training. (279/2000)